Pump



June 5, 1956 Y v. A. sTRoM 5T AL 2,749,187

PUMP

Filed Nov. 5, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 5, 1956 V. A. STROM ET AL PUMP 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed Nov. 5 1951 June 5, 1956 v. A. sTRoM ET AL 2,749,187

PUMP

Filed Nov. 3, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .movement and control the speed of movement.

PUMP

Victor A. Strom, Alameda, and Charles G. Dickinson,

' Oakland, Calif.

Application November 3, 1951, Serial No. 254,714

6 Claims. (Cl. 302-14) This invention relates to a pump particularly useful for pumping food products such as pickles, cherries and the like, in a liquid medium. More generally, the invention relates to a pump which is capable of pumping relatively fragile or easily bruised solid materials in a liquid medium and to a method of transporting such products in the liquid medium.

In transporting certain food products such as pickles, olives and cherries, from one place to another, e. g., from a storage vat to individual containers, or from one point in a packing plant or Cannery toanother, thev need arises for a method and means for transporting thev food products which is speedy and continuous in its operation and which'does not damage the food product.

it is well-known in Cannery practice to provide troughs, -and to use the troughs to oat food products, such as nited States Pattern:v Of

peaches, cherries and pears, from one point vto another.

However, this arrangement is cumbersome, wasteful of space and relatively inflexible.

It is advantageous to employ a pump for the purpose of transporting food products in order to secure positive Pumps have the advantage of compactness and portability and are adapted to the use of flexible hoses to suck up and to deliver the food products. However, pumping systems heretofore used in the Cannery practice are objectionable for various reasons, but chiefly because of the rough and damaging treatment to which they subject material which is pumped. Y It is an 'object of the present invention toV provide improved pump means and an improved method for transporting food products, such as olives,. pickles, cherries, and the like, which are capable of being transported by a flowing stream of liquid but which are easily bruised or damaged in handling.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pump which is capable of pumping solid and more or less easily bruised food products, without substantial damage thereto.

Yet another object is to provide a pump for the purpose described which has certain advantageous features such as self-priming means and rapid and accurate adjustability of the pump capacity and speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pump employing the ring jet principle and which can be adjusted and regulated to provide whatever degree of suction and force may be desirable under the circumstances.

Further objects Aare to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, economy, and ease of manufacture, also such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will fully appear and as are inherently possessed by the device and the invention described herein.

j Invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and While there is shown therein a -`preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the same is merely illustrative of the'invention and that the invention is capable of modiicaton'and change, Vand comprehends other details of construction Without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the ap pended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, showing the general system and pump mechanism of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the jet elements.

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line III-III of Figure 2. y

Figure 4 is a view on a larger scale than that of Figure l, showing in detail the ring jet assembly, the view being partly in side elevation and partly in section to reveal the construction and arrangement of interior parts.

Figure 5 is a section taken along the line V-V of Figure 4, looking in theV direction of the arrows, being an end elevation of the jet assembly and being partly broken away to reveal certain of the parts more clearly.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of the invention in which the ring jet elements are individually adjustable.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figure l, the pump mechanism there shown is generally designated 'as 10 and it comprisespa priming assembly 11 and a jet pump assembly 12. The priming assembly 11 includes a cylindrical priming vessel 13 which may have flanged ends to which cover plates 14 and 1S may be bolted orv otherwise secured. These plates are formed with aligned openings 16 and 17, respectively. An inlet pipe 18 is provided whose flanged end 19 is bolted or otherwise secured to the end plate 14 in registry With the opening 17. The pipe 18 connects through a flexible hose (not shown) with the product to be pumped, e. g. pickles, olives, maraschino cherries or the like. An extension of the inlet pipe 18 is provided in the form of a length of pipe 25 which is fixed within the priming vessel 13 in registry with the inlet passage 17 and the outlet passage 16. The pipe 25 is formed with numerous longi- .tudinal slots 26 which provide communication between the interior of the pipe and the interior of the priming vessel 13 so that a liquid, such as water, which is shown at 27, will ilow freely from the vessel 13 into the pipe 25 and vice versa. The slots 26 are, however, suiciently narrow to prevent egress of the solid product which is being pumped. In the case of sand or gravel, holes may be used instead of slots, such holes being of a size to prevent egrees of the sand or gravel.

In Figures l'and 4 the pump is shown in horizontal position. However, the pump may be installed and operated in Vertical position with certain modications as explained hereinafter.

The priming chamber 13 is manipulated in a manner yand for a purpose which is explained in detail hereinafter. A vacuum is maintained in an air space 27a above the liquid. by means of a vacuum control mechanism 28. The vacuum control mechanism 2S includes a vacuum pump 29 which is driven by a motor 30 through the medium of pulleys 31 and a belt 32. A suction pipe 33 connects the air space 27a in the priming vessel 13 with the inlet of the vacuum pump, and the suction pipe 33 is also connected by a pipe 34 with a float chamber 35. The float chamber 35 is also connected directly to the priming vessel 13 by a pipe 36 which is disposed at a suitable level above the pipe 25. A oat (not shown) in the oat 'chamber 35 is connected to, and operates a normally closed switch 40 which is in the circuit of the motor 30. As Will be seen, the motor circuit includes leads 41 and 42. When water, or any other working liquid is desired, reaches the level of the pipe 36 it operates the float in chamber 35 which in turn opens the switch 40 and cuts 'off the motor 30. This stops the pump 29. The purpose of this mode of operation will be explained hereinafter. Working liquid for operating the jet assembly 12 is supplied through a supply pipe 43 containing a check valve 44, and a manually controlled valve 45. As illustrated, a T-connection 46 is provided which connects the fluid supply to the priming vessel 13 through a pipe 47 and a manually controlled valve 48. The T-connection also connects the tluid supply through a. pipe 49 tothe inlet of a centrifugal pump 50 which is driven by a motor 51. The pump 50 delivers the working liquid under pressure throught a pipe 52 to the jet assembly 12.

Referring more particularly to Figure 4, the jet assembly 12 comprises a cylindrical vessel 60 which is closed at one end by the end plate of the priming vessel 13 and, atl its other end, by a plate 61 which is formedwith an opening 62 in registry with the opening 16. The end plate 16 isformed with an inwardly projecting and tapering tlange 63 which encircles the opening 16 and provides a.V continuation thereof. The end plate 61 is formed with a collar or sleeve 64 which receives a anged pipe 65 to which an outlet hose 66` isV secured in any suitable manner. An O-ring or other suitable sealing member is providedat 67 to prevent escape of liquid between the sleeve 64 and pipe 65. The end plate 61` is beveled at 68 about the circumference of the opening 62.

As illustrated, two jet elements 69 are provided which are of identical construction. One of these elements is shown in plan view in Figure 2 and in section in Figure 3. The right-hand jet element 69 (as viewed in Figure 4) is intended to cooperate with the left-hand element 69 and with the beveled ilange 63. The left-hand jet element 69' is intended to cooperate with the right-hand element and with a third jet element 70. The jet element 70 is of somewhat different construction than the elements 69, in that it is formed with an annular recess 71 which receives the pipe 65.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each of the jet elements 69 and 69 comprises a central ring 74 which is integral with three radial arms 75. The ring 74 provides a central opening or passage 76 and it has a beveled outer edge 77 and a beveled inner edge 78. A groove 79 is formed in each of the arms 75 contiguously to the beveled edge 77. Each of the arms 75 is formed at its outer end with a hole 80 of relatively large diameter. The jet element 70 is of generally similar construction and similar parts and features are similarly numbered.

Referring again to Figure 4, it will be seen that the threejet elementsV 69, 70 are arranged in coaxial, nested relation and that the holes 80 are` fitted with threaded bushings 85. The bushings 85 are of decreasing inside diameter from leftV to right as viewed in FigureV 4, to accommodate the different steps 86a, 86b, 86e offa screw 87. The pitches of these steps ditfer in a manner and for a purpose which is explained hereinafter. Each of the screws87 is rotatable in a bearing 88 and is retained in place by a collar 89 and a set screw 90. As illustrated, guiderods 91 are` provided, one for each set' of guide holes 81, and they are threaded into the end plateV 16 and are slidably received in the holes 81.

lt will be apparent that the jet elements 69 and 70 are so arranged in relation to each other and to the flange 63 as to provide a plurality of annular or ring jet passages 92 for fluid from the interior of vessel 60 to a central passage 93 formed by the jet elements 69, 70, the flange 63 and the pipe 65. The path of flow is indicated by the arrows.

The annular jet passages 92 can be adjusted by means of the screws 87 and certain operating means which will now be described. Referring to both Figures 4 and 5, it will be seen that to each ofthe screws 87 is fixed a sprocket 100 about which a chain 101 is led. The chain 101 also meshes with a driving sprocket 102 which is fixed to a shaft 103 which is rotatable in a bearing 104. A hand wheel 105 is xed to the shaft 103. It will be apparent that, by turning the handwheel 10S in one ydirection or the other, screws 87 will be turned and the jet elements 69, 70 will be moved to the left or to the-right.

As stated, the pitches of the steps 86a, 86b, 86e are different. More specifically, the pitch of step 86a is greater than that of 86b, which in turn has a greater pitch than step 86e. It will, therefore, be apparent that, not only will the jet elements 69, be shifted axially as the hand wheel is turned, but they will undergo a differential motion with respect to one another. in Figure 4 the jet elements 69, 70 are shown in wide open position; i. e., the annular jet passages 92 are at maximum. On turning the hand wheel 105 and the screws 87 in the proper direction, the jet elements willl be moved to the right. The right-hand element 69 willl approach the flange 63, and because of the greater pitch of step 86b, the left-hand element 69 will approach the right-hand element. Similarly, the element 70 will approach the left-hand element 69. Consequently, the annular jet passages 92 will be narrowed and the pump capacity reduced.

ln operation, and having reference primarily to Figure l, the inlet pipe 18 is connected, as by means of a flexible hose, to the product which it is desired to transport, the receiving end being placed below the liquid level thereof, and the hose 66 is connected to the receptacle to which it is desired to deliver the product. The motor 30 is started by closing a manual switch (not shown) thereby starting the vacuum mechanism 28. The valves 48 and 45 are opened and the inlet' pipe 43 is connected to a source of water or other working liquid under a sutlicient pressure or head to deliver it through the pipe 47 to the priming vessel 13. During this priming stage the motor 51 and the centrifugal pump 50 will not be operating. The supply of water to the priming vessel 13 is continued until the water reaches the level of the pipe 36 and thereby disconnects the motor 30 and stops the vacuum pump 29 in the manner explained hereinabove. The pump mechanism is now primed and in readiness for operation. Thus, the inlet pipes 43 and 49 and the centrifugal pump 50 are filled with water. Likewise, by reason of the slots 26 in the pipe 25, the jet assembly 12 is also filled with water.

The valve 48 is closed and remains closed during continued operation of the pump mechanism except under certain conditions as explained hereinafter. The motor 51 is then started, thereby commencing operation of the centrifugal pump 50 which will pump water under suitable pressure through the pipe 52 into the vessel 60, thence through the jet passages 92 into the central passage 93. A ring jet delivery in the downstream direction is created which will, in accordance with well-known principles, exert a suction on the inlet pipe 18 and will pump a liquid and any solid material capable of being carried by the liquid.

As stated, the pump mechanism illustrated in the drawings is shown in horizontal position. However, it may be mounted in vertical position; i. e., with the priming vessel 13 above the jet assembly 12 and with the slotted pipe 25 vertical. In such a case, the float 35, the pipe 36 and the pipe 33 will require rearrangement as shown in Figure 6. The vertical position shown in Figure 6 may be generally preferred, as air is less likely to be sucked into the jet assembly 12 where it is undersirable because of interference with the jets and because of the creation of turbulence.

Figure 6 also illustrates the form of the invention, in which the several jet elements 69, 69, and 70 are individually adjustable. As there shown, instead of a single, stepped screw, three individual screws 110, 111 and 112 are provided, each of which is threaded into a bushing 85. The screws are telescopically arranged, and each of them is provided with an individual bearing and with an individual sprocket 113. Chains are provided for the sprockets, and corresponding drive sprockets 115 and hand wheels 116 are also provided. It will be apparent that by this means, each of the jet elements 69, 69' and 70 can be adjusted independently of the others, hence that any one or more of the annular jet passages 92 cau be adjusted as desired.

mais? "There arenumerous advantages achieved by the pump mechanism 'of the present invention. The annular or ring infeed from the pump 5@ formed by the jet elements l69, 69, and 70 completely encircles the passage 93 and provides a continuous layer or cushion of liquid about the circumference of central passage. This is a great advantage because it provides a cushion and prevents violent contact between the solid or semi-solid material which is being pumped and the walls of the pumping line. This cushioning is 4so effective that pitted maraschino cherries, eggs and the like can be safely pumped. It is equally obvious that the path of the material being pumped does not go through and is therefore not subject to the violence and damage from the pump itself.

Another advantageous feature of the pump mechanism of the invention is the provision of means for adjusting the annular jet passages 92. Thus, when a rugged or sturdy product, such as pickles, is being pumped, the jet passages 92 may be opened wide to increase the capacity of the pump. On the other hand, if a very soft and easily bruised product such as pitted maraschino cherries, or an extremely fragile product such as eggs, is being pumped, the jet passages will be narrowed to reduce the speed of the pump. The jet passages 92 can be speedily adjusted by means of the hand wheel 105 in the pump of Figures l to 5, and in the pump of Figure 6 the jet passages can be adjusted individually, so that any one or all of the annular jets may be used and adjusted at any one time.

The adaptability of the pump of the present invention may be further illustrated. Where a strong suction is required, as when sand or gravel is to be pumped, or when it is desired to pump olives, cherries, etc., from the bottom of a nearly empty tank, the pump can be operated by closing the valve and opening the valve 48. This sucks liquid from the material which is being pumped through the slots 26 into the priming vessel 13, thence through the pipe 47, the valve 48, the T 46 and the pipe 49 into the centrifugal pump 50. The suction of the centrifugal pump is, therefore, applied to the material which is being pumped.

The degree of suction can be controlled by either of two means, namely, by adjusting the annular passages 92 or by controlling the speed of the centrifugal pump 50. The faster the pump 50 is operated, the more forceful will be the jets in the passage 93. Also, the more widely the annular jet passages 92 are opened, the greater will be the suction of the jets. This dual control is advantageous especially where a constant speed centrifugal pump is employed. The centrifugal pump may be run at constant speed, yet by adjusting the annular jet passages 92 the speed and capacity of the jet assembly can be varied.

Yet another important advantage of the pump mechanism of the present invention is the provision of automatic means for priming the pump mechanism and for maintaining the prime. Thus, assuming it is desired to skim berries, olives or the like from a body of water in which they are floating, the receiving end of a suction hose may be played over the surface of the water and only partially submerged therein. Such an operation will necessarily suck air into the hose. This will not, however, cause the pump mechanism to lose its prime. Thus, as the mixture of air, water and solid material pass into the slotted pipe 25, the air will pass through the slots and accumulate in the space 27a. If the air pressure becomes excessive in the space 27a it will depress the level of water in the vessel i3 below the pipe 36, thereby causing the vacuum pump 29 to operate to remove the excess air and re-establish the necessary operating conditions.

We claim:

l. Pumping apparatus of the character described comprising a jet pump including a conduit for passage of the uid to be pumped and jet means for introducing a jet into said conduit to pump uid therethrough, a prim- 6 ing chamber, an inlet conduit disposed in said priming chamber, communicating with said jet pump conduit and also communicating with said priming chamber, a me; chanical pump, means connecting the outlet of said me; chanical pump to said jet means to deliver uid under pressure thereto, inlet means for supplying liquid under low pressure to said mechanical pump, a valve for said inlet means, by-pass means connecting said priming chamber with the inlet of the said mechanical pump and a valve for said by-pass means.

2. Apparatus for the transportation of solids and semisolids suspended in a liquid comprising in combination a conduit for conveying liquid and suspended material, a uid tight vessel enclosing a portion of said conduit, the portion of said conduit in said vessel having openings in the wall thereof to permit the passage of liquid and air only therethrough, automatic means for maintaining a negative pressure in said vessel, a ring jet pump means in said conduit adjacent the outlet from said vessel delivering liquid downstream under pressure to pump the liquid and suspended material therethrough, a mechanical pump having an inlet connected to a liquid source and an outlet connected to said ring jet pump means to deliver said liquid under .pressure thereto, by-pass means connected to the liquid inlet source of said-mechanical pump with said vessel, and a valve for closing the by-pass means during the pumping operation.

3. Pumping apparatus of the character described for pumping liquid and suspended solids and semisolids comprising in combination a uid tight priming vessel, a jet pump including a main conduit providing passage for the liquid and suspended material to be pumped a portion of which passes through said vessel and is provided with longitudinal slots for free passage of liquid and air between said vessel and said conduit, said jet means being positioned downstream of said vessel, means for maintaining the liquid level in said vessel during operation, a primary pump connected to an operating liquid supply line for supplying liquid under pressure to said jet means, and valve means in said operating liquid supply line for initially delivering liquid to and establishing the liquid level in said vessel and lling said primary pump for priming purposes.

4. Pumping apparatus of the character described for pumping liquid and suspended material comprising in combination a fluid tight priming vessel, a jet pump including a conduit providing passage for a liquid and suspended material a portion of which passes through said vessel axially and is slotted longitudinally permitting free passage of liquid and air therethrough and within said vessel, means for maintaining the liquid level in said vessel during operation, downstream directed ring jet means introducing operating liquid under pressure into said conduit to pump the liquid and suspended material therethrough said jet means being positioned downstream of said vessel and adjustable as to opening size, a mechanical pump having a low pressure liquid inlet and an outlet connected to said jet means delivering high pressure operating liquid thereto, by-pass conduit means at the inlet of said mechanical pump for initially conducting a portion of the inlet liquid to said mechanical pump and to said vessel establishing a liquid level therein for priming purposes, and a valve in said by-pass for closing the same after the initial priming.

5. Pumping apparatus of the character described for pumping liquid and suspended solids and semisolids comprising in combination a iluid tight priming vessel, a jet pump including a conduit providing passage for a liquid containing suspended solids and semisolids to be pumped, a portion of said conduit passing axially through said vessel and having longitudinal slots therein permitting free passage of liquid and air between said conduit and said vessel, means for maintaining the liquid level in said vessel during operation, and downstream directed jet means in said conduit introducing liquid under pressure into the same to pump the liquid containing suspended solids and semisolids therethrough, said jet means comprising a plurality of individually adjustable annular openings positioned downstream of said vessel, a rnechanical pump having an inlet and an outlet connected to said jet means to deliver an operating liquid under pressure thereto, an operating liquid supply conduit Supplying low pressure liquid to the inlet of said mechanical pump, by-pass means in said supply conduit connected to said vessel for initially conducting inlet liquid tn said mechanical pump and said Vessel to establish the liquid level therein for priming purposes, and a valve for said by-pass means for closing the same after initial priming.

6. Apparatus for the transportation of solids and semisolids suspended in a liquid comprising in combination a conduit for conveying the liquid and suspended material, a iluid tight vessel enclosing a portieri of said conduit and containing a liquid, said vessel having automatic means for controlling the liquid level therein during operation, the portion of said conduit in said vessel having openings in the wall thereof to permit the passage of liquid and air only to and from said vessel, a ring jet pump means in said conduit adjacent the outlet of said conduit from said vessel delivering liquid downstream under pressure to pump the liquid and suspended References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 759,374 Isaacs May 10, 1904 1,814,613 Woody July 14, 1931 1,883,594 Cross Oct. 18, 1932 1,992,890 Schmidt Feb. 26, 1935 2,021,394 Wade NOV. 19, 1935 2,446,912 Parker May 4, 1948 2,452,421 Ames Oct. 26, 1948 2,651,259 Brush Sept. 8, 1953 2,686,085 Odell Aug. 10, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 717,899 France Ian. 15, 1932 747,883 France June 24, 1933 366,702 Great Britain Feb. 1l, 1932 

